China’s industrialisation boom has its dark side

Pneumoconiosis is an occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of dust. Official statistics put the number of Chinese workers suffering from pneumoconiosis at 650,000, though independent health experts say that the real figure is much higher. While the Chinese government has passed laws in regard to the care of workers that have diseases like pneumoconiosis, the reality is that the system is not well integrated and many workers miss out on appropriate health care.

Pneumoconiosis is an occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of dust. Official statistics put the number of Chinese workers suffering from pneumoconiosis at 650,000, though independent health experts say that the real figure is much higher. While the Chinese government has passed laws in regard to the care of workers that have diseases like pneumoconiosis, the reality is that the system is not well integrated and many workers miss out on appropriate health care.